2013 Bmw 550i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 550i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting 2015-03-31 · campaign 15V188000 · 13,443 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (434)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-01-21 · B010122 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
n63tu1 class action settlement svc campaign: oil consumption diagnosis/repair
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Wheels 2023-06-01 · B340914 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the dynamic stability control (dsc) warning light comes on while driving. the following dsc fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071b they cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found
Showing the 6 most recent of 434 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-17 · Engine · 126,000 mi“the contact owned a 2013 bmw 550i. the contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. the contact was able to coast into the driveway. the contact attempted to restart the vehicle and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure; however,…”
2022-09-01 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:pressure Sensor · 96,280 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 550i. the contact stated while driving 50 mph, the warning message illuminated on the instrument panel stating, “driving moderately and drive pit not available”. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the high-speed fuel pump on the passenger’s side was replaced but the failure continued. the vehicle was taken back to t…”
2022-07-11 · Unknown Or Other“i have soft closing doors on my vehicle. my doors won’t unlock/open, the only way i can get the driver side door open is using the physical key. when trying to unlock the door with the key fob, it makes the sound but none of the doors unlock. the unlock button inside doesn’t work and when trying to open the other doors (passenger side and rear door…”
2021-02-09 · Power Train · 62,127 mi“guibo flexible disc failed during routine pa inspection. technician said it was cracked and failed the inspection. my vehicle only has 62000 miles on it and the cv joint failed. i believe their was a recall for 2011 and 2012 models for the same issue.i was charged more than 1000 dollars for the repair of the flexible disk at the dealership and had …”
2020-06-08 · Unknown Or Other · 72,343 mi“after having my bmw at the dealership for two weeks i had the low battery discharging message come on when i took the car home. the dealer also performed an oil change less than 1k miles prior to this problem. my battery died, luckily at exactly the time, i drove onto my driveway. the car just stopped. i'm just glad i wasn't on the highway or g…”
2019-10-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 80,000 mi“after having made several replacements to parts (e.g. all three fuel pumps) to this vehicle over three, the vehicle now requires a new engine due to the failure of a rod ring. the root cause for this failure remains unidentified, however bmw is refusing to identify and/or accept accountability to address this failure which requires an engine repla…”
2019-01-25 · Service Brakes · 75,353 mi“pulled a nhtsa report on this vehicle and saw nothing dangereous about this vehicle until we got it inspected. we took the vehicle to athens bmw in athens,georgia and the service advisor told us that they do not know how the vehicle made it to their shop. there were over 30 bolts and screws missing from the engine and in their words, "the engine wa…”
2018-12-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 65,000 mi“"takata recall" i have a 2013 bmw 550i xdrive m sport. it keeps on misfiring on cylinder number two and i have changed all 8 spark plugs and the injector for that cylinder. i also used octane booster and sea foam to clean the carbon out the fuel system. i don't know what else it could be if it's still misfiring on that cylinder. it starts up good a…”
2018-08-11 · Power Train · 113,665 mi“while drive below 30 mph, the front driveshaft broke and ruptured a hole in the engine's upper oil pan. the flexible joint or universal joint seized and broke the front part of the front driveshaft. then the vehicle had metal in the engine oil and that has damaged the engine and the turbochargers. the vehicle is going to need a new engine, new…”
2018-03-19 · Seats · 44,000 mi“i started the car and turned on the heated seats and went inside. i came back out a few minutes later and sat down. i smelled burning plastic and couldn't figure it out until my backside was burned by the heating element. i had second degree burns from the seat.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.